Holster with swappable inserts

ABSTRACT

This is holster that uses interchangeable inserts mounted to a chassis. These different interchangeable inserts are molded to the specific firearm model or device that will be carried to achieve maximum fit, security and ease of use. The inserts have a standardized mounting and are attached to a base chassis that also has a standardized mounting to allow the user to obtain maximum flexibility by easily converting the holster to carry a diverse array of pistol models, tools, or other devices.

RELATED U.S. APPLICATION DATA

This application is a continuation of provisional application No. 61541804 filed on Sep. 30, 2011.

BACKGROUND

This invention relates primarily to a holster to carry a firearm, or other handheld tools and devices by utilizing swappable inserts on a chassis to achieve flexibility, fit, security, and ease of use.

SUMMARY

The principal object of this invention is to provide a stable holster chassis with swappable inserts that are molded to the specific shape of the firearm to be carried. It is another object of this invention to effectively carry other hand held devices or tools. These objects are achieved by inserting swappable inserts that are molded to precisely fit the firearm, tool, or device to be carried into the standard mounting of the holster chassis. These inserts create a secure, effective fit so as to retain the carried item effectively while allowing the item to be withdrawn from the holster when needed. This holster allows the user to carry the desired firearm model with fit, security, and ease of use and then easily swap out the insert to a different firearm model or other tool or device.

A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 shows a front view of the holster including the chassis, swappable insert (SwapSkin), locking rails, belt clips, and mounting hardware.

FIG. 2 shows a back view of the holster including the chassis back and mounting hardware.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

This invention is primarily comprised of the following components:

Reference number Part Name 2 Holster 4 Chassis 6 SwapSkin 8 Locking Rails 10 Belt Clips 11 Flat Washer 12 Finish Washer 14 Cap Screw Long 16 Cap Screw Short 18 Mounting Holes 20 T-Nut 21 T-Nut Square 22 Lock Washer

The Holster 2 is a device preferably (but not necessarily) for carrying a pistol but may be utilized to carry other devices. The Holster 2 utilizes a system of interchangeable, model specific inserts/SwapSkins 6 to carry an infinite array of firearm models or other devices.

The Holster 2 includes a Chassis 4 and interchangeable SwapSkins 6 along with other listed parts. The Chassis 4 is comprised of preferably (but not necessarily) leather, and may be bovine, horse or synthetic material. The shape of the Chassis 4 may be shaped to provide the type of carry required to provide utility and comfort for the user.

The SwapSkin 6 is molded to the shape of and designed to form a shell for the specific pistol model or device intended to be carried. The SwapSkin 6 is designed to securely encase the pistol or device when attached to Chassis 4 and secured by Locking Rails 8. The SwapSkin 6 is preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of Kydex but may be comprised of any suitable moldable plastic or leather material or a combination of stated elements. The SwapSkin 6 is preferably (but not necessarily) between about 4 and 6 inches in width, and is more preferably about 5 inches in width. The SwapSkin 6 is preferably (but not necessarily) between about 3 and 5 inches in height, and is more preferably about 3.5 inches in height. The thickness of the SwapSkin 6 is preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.040 and 0.250 inches thick, and is more preferably about 0.060 inches thick. The SwapSkin 6 may be molded by heat, heat and pressure, injection molding, and is more preferably heat/vacuum molded. The SwapSkin 6 is shaped on the left and right wings to tightly fit into the Locking Rails #8 on both the left and right side of Chassis 4.

The Locking Rails 8 securely hold the SwapSkin 6 in place on the Chassis 4. The Locking Rails 8 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of Kydex but may be comprised of any suitable moldable plastic or metal material. The Locking Rails 8 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.25 and 1.5 inches in width, and are more preferably about 0.75 inches in width. The Locking Rails 8 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 2.5 and 5 inches in length, and are more preferably about 3.3 inches in length.

The Belt Clips 10 are utilized to secure the Holster 2 to the belt of the user. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of metal but may be comprised of plastic. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.50 and 1.25 inches in width, and are more preferably about 0.87 inches in width. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 2.5 and 3.5 inches in length, and are more preferably about 2.75 inches in length. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.5 and 0.15 inches in the belt loop thickness, and are more preferably about 0.30 inches in belt loop thickness. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 1.25 and 2.25 inches in belt width, and are more preferably about 2.75 inches in belt width. The Belt Clips 10 have a mounting hole that is preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.30 and 0.15 inches, and are more preferably is about 0.25 inches. The Belt Clips 10 are preferably (but not necessarily) black zinc, zinc, chrome, or brass finish and are more preferably black oxide finish.

The Flat Washers 11 are utilized to provide both fit and bearing action between Belt Clip 10 and Chassis 4. The Flat Washers 11 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of nylon and may be comprised of plastic, leather or synthetic compound. The Flat Washers 11 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6 and 0.375 inches and are more preferably about size #10. The Flat Washers 11 are preferably (but not necessarily) natural finish and are more preferably black finish.

The Finish Washers 12 are utilized to provide both fit and finish to Cap Screws Long 14 utilized to secure Locking Rails 8 to Chassis 4 and Cap Screws Short 16 utilized to secure Belt Clips 10 to Chassis 4. The Finish Washers 12 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of metal and may be comprised of plastic, rubber, or nylon. The Finish Washers 12 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6 and 0.25 inches and are more preferably about size #8. The Finish Washers 12 are preferably (but not necessarily) black zinc, zinc, chrome, or brass finish and are more preferably black oxide finish.

The Cap Screw Long 14 is utilized to secure the SwapSkins 6 to the Chassis 4 through the Locking Rails 8. The Cap Screws Long 14 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of steel and may be comprised of stainless steel or other carbon steel. The Cap Screws Long 14 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6-32 and 0.25×20 inches and are more preferably about size #8-32. The Cap Screws Long 14 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.25 and 0.5 inches in length and are more preferably about 0.375 in length. The Cap Screws Long 14 are preferably (but not necessarily) black zinc, zinc, chrome, stainless steel or brass finish and are more preferably black oxide finish.

The Cap Screw Short 16 is utilized to secure the Belt Clip 10 to the Chassis 4. The Cap Screws Short 16 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of steel and may be comprised of stainless steel or other carbon steel. The Cap Screws Short 16 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6-32 and 0.25×20 inches and are more preferably about size #8-32. The Cap Screws Short 16 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.5 and 0.188 inches in length and are more preferably about 0.25 in length. The Cap Screws Short 16 are preferably (but not necessarily) black zinc, zinc, chrome, stainless steel or brass finish and are more preferably black oxide finish.

T-Nuts 20 are utilized to secure the Cap Screws Long 14, Finish Washer 12, Locking Rail 8, and Lock Washer 22 to the Chassis 4. The T-Nuts 20 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of steel and may be comprised of stainless steel, other carbon steel, or synthetic material. The T-Nuts 20 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6-32 and 0.25×20 inches and are more preferably about size #8-32. The T-Nuts 20 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.188 and 0.5 inches in length and are more preferably about 0.25 in length. The T-Nuts 20 are preferably (but not necessarily) black oxide, zinc, chrome, stainless steel or brass finish and are more preferably black zinc finish.

T-Nuts Square 21 are utilized to secure the Cap Screws Short 16, Finish Washer 12, Belt Clip 10, and Flat Washer 11 to the Chassis 4. The T-Nuts Square 21 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of steel and may be comprised of stainless steel, other carbon steel, or synthetic material. The T-Nuts Square 21 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6-32 and 0.25×20 and are more preferably about size #8-32. The T-Nuts Square 21 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about 0.188 and 0.5 inches in length and are more preferably about 0.25 inches in length. The T-Nuts Square 21 are preferably (but not necessarily) black oxide, zinc, chrome, stainless steel or brass finish and are more preferably black zinc finish.

The Lock Washers 22 are utilized to provide a secure grip between the SwapSkin 6 and Locking Rail 8 connection points. The Lock Washers 22 are preferably (but not necessarily) comprised of steel and may be comprised of stainless steel or other carbon steel. The Lock Washers 22 are preferably (but not necessarily) between about size #6-32 and 0.25×20 inches and are more preferably about size #10-32. The Lock Washers 22 may be of the internal, split, external lock type or other proprietary locking device and are more preferably the external lock type. The Lock Washers 22 are preferably (but not necessarily) black zinc, zinc, chrome, or brass finish and are more preferably black oxide finish.

The Chassis 4, Belt Clips 10, SwapSkins 6 and Locking Rails 8 and most mounting hardware are necessary elements of this invention. The optional elements all provide features and benefits as previously described. For example the Finish Washers 12 are provided for both utility and finish but could be replaced with a flat washer to provide function but would lack finish. Another optional element of the invention is the Lock Washer 22 that provides added security to the compression connection between the two halves of the Locking Rails 8.

The invention works by allowing the user to easily swap the SwapSkins 6 on the same comfortable, already broken in Chassis 4 for any pistol model or device they own. A SwapSkin 6 is obtained for each firearm model or device to be carried thereby drastically reducing the cost of carrying the chosen devise and eliminating the need to own a complete holster for each firearm or device. The user utilizes only one Chassis 4 and many different SwapSkins 6 models. The user can easily swap out one model SwapSkin 6 for another model SwapSkin 6 by loosening the Cap Screws Long 14 and releasing the SwapSkin 6 from the Locking Rails 8. The SwapSkin 6 is then pinched out from between the Locking Rails 8 and removed from the holster. The desired SwapSkin 6 is then inserted into the locking Rails 8 by pinching the SwapSkin 6 and then the Cap Screws Long 14 are tightened to compress the Locking Rails 8 and Lock Washer 22 onto the wings of the inserted SwapSkin 6 thereby locking the inserted SwapSkin 6 onto the Chassis 4. Other items and devices that could be carried with this invention may include pistol magazines, pistol and rifle clips, knives, hand tools, power tools, phones, radios, and other hand held items.

To make this invention one would cut to shape the Chassis 4 including drilling or punching all mounting holes. The Chassis 4 can be shaped to different configurations to allow for different styles on pistol or device carry. For example, inside the waistband carry, on the belt carry, drop leg or thigh carry, sling carry, or shoulder carry while still accommodating the same standardized Locking Rails 8 and SwapSkins 6. The Belt Clips 10 can be moved to different Mounting Holes 18 positions to allow for great flexibility in carry height and carry cant in relation to the belt or retention device of the user.

SwapSkin 6 is produced by heat forming the SwapSkin 6 to the desired pistol model, or device shape and then machining the wings of the SwapSkin 6 to a standard configuration to fit into a matching standard configuration in the Locking Rails 8.

The Locking Rails 8 are produced preferably (but not necessarily) by heat forming and are machined to a standard configuration to accept the SwapSkin 6. All of the elements would then be connected using the aforementioned hardware. This standard configuration allows for the user to swap the desired SwapSkin 6 to any Chassis 4 design thereby allowing for maximum flexibility, maximum security, and maximum fit and function. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A holster consisting essentially of: A holster base chassis that utilizes swappable inserts, shaped for the specific model of firearm, tool, or device to be carried; and locking rails to secure the swappable inserts onto the base chassis. 